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What is the purpose of the random IC checks asking for bank statements?

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5 days 11 hours ago #304186 by lonewolf6565
Hi there

I am moving from ESA and HB to UC at the start of June.

I have seen a couple of forum members posting that they have been asked to provide the previous three months work of bank statements once receiving UC.

A forum admin said these are random checks and nothing to worry about.

But I would find the sudden request for this both intrusive and stress inducing.

What is the rationale for this? What information are they seeking? Would I be "allowed" to redact some of this? I don't like the idea of the govt knowing all of my movements for that long, not because I am doing anything wrong but because it is an invasion of privacy.

How long would I have to respond? My condition affects how I cope with this stuff.

TIA
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4 days 23 hours ago #304204 by Chris
Hi lonewolf,

It's in relation to helping combat fraud and cut down the costs to the government involving benefits. There's no way around this that I know of. You have to give them what they ask for. I missed one once, and I lost 5 weeks worth of UC, until I provided everything, then my account was unfrozen. It's very stressful because sometimes they ask for unrealistic things such as getting your bank statements stamped off a bank, even if you suffer social and travel anxiety and your nearest bank is several towns away. I think I was given a few weeks to upload the data they requested.

Chris.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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4 days 19 hours ago #304223 by lonewolf6565
Urgh, awful! Did they give you back the 5 weeks money that they stopped?

You say you "missed one once.." ..how many times in how long have they asked this of you??

This is draconian.

I am sad and angry for us both and all who are affected by this.
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2 days 23 hours ago #304343 by Chris
Hi lonewolf,

I did get it back pretty much 2 days before my next payment was due - so yeah, into the 5th week. Because they knew I had savings, they told me to use that, however it was in a fixed account that I could not touch, so I ended up having to sell some things to get the cash to cover that months bills. Shocking I know. I worked 25 years of my life, and I felt like a beggar on the streets - it was awful, and still is to this day tbh.

They assess me every year. I'm actually due again around July time. Ive had 3 assessments. 2 people were lovely and helpful and 1 was an absolute ******* to me, she was the one who stopped my money and she even told me, I have the power to do whatever i want if i believe people are flouting the rules or something like that. She reminded me of a Theresa Coffey type person with her attitude.

Chris.

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